Monarchism has existed in Australia since before Federation.[1] In 1867 it was suggested that Australia should have its own resident monarch in the event that Australia became an independent country.[1][2]
Types of monarchism
Monarchism that supports Australia continuing to share a monarch with the United Kingdom (status quo monarchism)
By far the most prominent form of monarchism in Australia is status quo monarchism. Status quo monarchists support the continuation of the Australian monarchy with Australia continuing to share a monarch with the United Kingdom and with the monarch continuing to be represented by a governor general. Both the Australian Monarchist league and Australians for Constitutional Monarchy support this position.
Monarchism that supports Australia having a resident Australian monarch (alternative monarchism)
A far less prominent form of monarchism in Australia is alternative monarchism. Alternative monarchists support Australia having a resident Australian monarch and abolishing the role of governor general of Australia. The proposition was first published in 1867.[1][3] It was later reiterated by Alan Atkinson in his 1993 book The Muddle Headed Republic,[4] by Harry Meklonian in 2009,[5] and by Richard Hughes in 2017.[6] In a similar vein, Waleed Aly suggested in 2022 replacing the monarch with a life appointed Indigenous "First Elder".[7] Another possibility would be to crown someone in the line of succession to the Australian throne, but who is not expected to become monarch by the present rules of succession.[5] There is a website that supports this position.[8]
^Irving, Helen (1997), "Republicanism and Citizenship", in Galligan, Brian; McAllister, Ian; Ravenhill, John (eds.), New Developments in Australian Politics, Macmillan Education Australia, p. 135, ISBN9780732943042, retrieved 9 May 2023
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